Crystal
02-18-2005, 09:48 AM
Quick thinking saves a family
Green Island couple, children are awakened, rescued by officers during a house fire
By BRUCE A. SCRUTON, Staff writer
First published: Friday, February 18, 2005
GREEN ISLAND -- When village police officers pulled up to the burning house just after midnight, one of them noticed the four people who lived in the house weren't outside.
Rushing into the house at 111 Hudson Ave., the officers roused the sleeping family and led them through heavy smoke to safety, officials said Thursday.
"Another couple of minutes and you'd have had four fatalities there," village Police Chief John Nardone said of the actions of officers Ed Watson and Chris Parker.
The pair had just started their midnight-to-8-a.m. shift when a neighbor called 911 to report the fire. When the police officers pulled up in front, heavy smoke was coming from the home.
"Chris looked around and didn't see the family," Nardone said. "He had been there recently and knew there were two adults and two kids."
The two rushed into the house and found the Vanderheyden family sound asleep. The two adults, a 6-year-old and a 6-month-old were treated at the scene by paramedics but didn't need hospital treatment, Nardone said.
Firefighters arrived moments after the police and had the fire under control in about 45 minutes, officials said. It began on the back porch and spread into the kitchen. While the fire's cause has yet to be determined, the initial investigation indicates it was accidental. It wasn't clear where the family is staying, but officials said the home will need extensive repairs before anyone can live there.
Firefighters from Watervliet also responded.
Green Island couple, children are awakened, rescued by officers during a house fire
By BRUCE A. SCRUTON, Staff writer
First published: Friday, February 18, 2005
GREEN ISLAND -- When village police officers pulled up to the burning house just after midnight, one of them noticed the four people who lived in the house weren't outside.
Rushing into the house at 111 Hudson Ave., the officers roused the sleeping family and led them through heavy smoke to safety, officials said Thursday.
"Another couple of minutes and you'd have had four fatalities there," village Police Chief John Nardone said of the actions of officers Ed Watson and Chris Parker.
The pair had just started their midnight-to-8-a.m. shift when a neighbor called 911 to report the fire. When the police officers pulled up in front, heavy smoke was coming from the home.
"Chris looked around and didn't see the family," Nardone said. "He had been there recently and knew there were two adults and two kids."
The two rushed into the house and found the Vanderheyden family sound asleep. The two adults, a 6-year-old and a 6-month-old were treated at the scene by paramedics but didn't need hospital treatment, Nardone said.
Firefighters arrived moments after the police and had the fire under control in about 45 minutes, officials said. It began on the back porch and spread into the kitchen. While the fire's cause has yet to be determined, the initial investigation indicates it was accidental. It wasn't clear where the family is staying, but officials said the home will need extensive repairs before anyone can live there.
Firefighters from Watervliet also responded.